Weekend Update!

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  We had a productive weekend and made a lot of progress on our "Carson To-Do" list!  We signed him up for daycare (I can't believe I already wrote his first tuition check), painted his nursery, ordered his crib, and ordered his curtains!  I love his daycare.  We visited a few and this one was my favorite for sure so I'm glad they'll have a spot for him in August!  Also, his nursery is finally starting to come together and I'm so excited!  Once we get the crib (expected to arrive this week), I'll put up some before and after pics!

This past week I came home to a "just because" gift from the hubby - a beautiful orchid!  Nick has really been awesome lately.  I have NO idea why he bought this for me, but I love it (and I'm scared of killing it).  He also mopped our kitchen and vacuumed our family room over the weekend which says a lot if you know him!  ;)  I didn't even ask him, he just took it upon himself.  Back to the orchid.  The directions say to feed her 3 ice cubes per week.  Weird, right?  Anyone have an orchid that would like to give me some advice so I don't kill mine?!

Also, I received another blog award!  You all make me feel so loved!  This time my award came from the lovely Sara at Smiling in Second Grade. 

I'm going to nominate Allie at Table for More for this award.  She always leaves me the sweetest comments and I'm SUPER sad she moved away from my hometown - booo!!!  Come back, Allie!  If you haven't yet, check out both of these awesome blogs!

Another Award!

The lovely Michelle over at Brunette & Blessed gave me a blog award!  Apparently she digs my blog. :)  That's cool b/c I dig her blog, too!

Thank the person who gave you the award.
Thank you so much, Michelle!  You are so sweet to think of me and I love reading about your adventures in Cbus! :)

Share three random facts about yourself.
1. I am a huge book nerd.  I love reading books and cannot convince myself to get a Kindle.  I get most of my books at the library, but I have quite the collection at home, too.  Some of my favorite authors include James Patterson, Harlan Coben, Nicholas Sparks, and Jodi Picoult.  Don't even get me started on children's books.....obsessed! 

2. I am one of those people who is almost never satisfied with the temperature.  I'm not one to complain but my "comfort range" is probably a range of 5-10 degrees.  No joke.  I am usually cold or hot, rarely "just perfect".  That's just how it is!  The one place where I felt "just perfect" almost always was in Hawaii during our honeymoon.  I swear it never got too hot there and it never got cold (unless you were in A/C)!

3. I can't live without Target.  This one really doesn't need an explanation, but in case you don't understand.....dollar spot, Starbucks, clothing, groceries, home decor, beauty products, accessories.  I can get it all and it's affordable!  Walking into Target makes me feel happy.  I'm lucky enough to have 2 Targets within 5.5 miles of my house...one is less than 5 minutes.  SCORE!

Pass this award onto five others.
Ashley @ Everyday with AME
Lindsey @ Worth the Wait
Judy @ KinderTastic
Mandy @ Journey to I Do
Brittany @ From Two to Four

A Very Pinteresting Post!

 Before I do my usual link-up, I have to mention that the lovely Miss Hadar of Miss Kindergarten has mentioned me as one of her top 10 teaching blogs!!   I seriously heart Hadar.  She's such a sweetheart and I love getting comments from her (and leaving comments for her)!  Check out my new award on my right sidebar --->

It's Wednesday so you all know what that means!  Time to link up with Michelle from The Vintage Apple.

Awesome closet office...such a great use of space!

Source: whimages.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

Strawberry Champagne Slushies.  Yumalicious!

Source: une-vie-saine.com via Emily on Pinterest

Easy Caramel Apple Dip...I might add cinnamon - great fall snack!

Source: kraftrecipes.com via Emily on Pinterest

Could it get any cuter?!

Source: google.com via Emily on Pinterest

Synonym paint swatch flower....what a cute idea!

Source: helloliteracy.blogspot.com via Emily on Pinterest

comfy cute....I need to get some new "boot jeans" :)

Source: polyvore.com via Emily on Pinterest

Loving this haircut but not sure if I could handle bangs....

Source: wishpot.com via Emily on Pinterest

My current nail color....loving gray right now!

Source: beautopia.onsugar.com via Emily on Pinterest

Don't forget to check out my PinBoards by hitting the button at the top of my right sidebar!

Blog Award!

The lovely Jamie over at Everyday J has given me a blog award!   When she emailed me to tell me, she was so sweet and it made my day!  Sometimes when I blog, I wonder if anyone actually enjoys reading my nonsense posts!  Emails (and comments) like Jamie's make my day every time!  If you haven't checked out Jamie's blog, make sure to do so!  She always has fun posts and I especially love her outfit posts....her style is very similar to mine!

The OFFICIAL rules of the award are:

-Thank the award-giver and link back to them in your post.

-Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.

-Give this award to up to 15 recently discovered bloggers.

-Contact those bloggers and tell them the exciting news!

{one}: I need at least one caffeinated beverage every day.  I usually have coffee in the morning and (sometimes) a soda at lunch.  I seriously can't function without some caffeine.  If I don't have it, I yawn all day long.  It's possible I need more sleep but I can't shut my brain down at night so I always end up falling asleep super late! 

This is what I use at home...LOVE it!

{two}: I love, love, love reality TV.  It's sad.  My DVR is always filled with trashy TV (Jerseylicious, Real World, Keeping Up With The Kardashians, etc.)  It's a guilty pleasure and I can't get enough!  I love watching drama and not being involved!  haha :)  I also love competition shows like Project Runway, Top Chef, Design Star, etc.  

{three}: I love warm weather and DESPISE cold weather.  I would love to move south but don't see it happening until I retire...or win the lottery.  As soon as it starts to get a little chilly (read: below 65 degrees), I start craving spring and summer.  Here in Ohio we have cold, gray winters and it is SO gloomy.  Not to mention everyone forgets how to drive.  I need to move somewhere where I can visit the pool and be tan year round!

Yes, please!!

{four}: I am a suburbanite and I wouldn't have it any other way!  I don't think I would be able to survive "out in the country" with less amenities.  I know it's nice to have land, but I need a Target within 5 minutes, please!  I think the city could be cool, but it isn't for me since I want to raise a family!  Plus I'm way too impatient for all that traffic and let's face it, public transportation is NOT my cup of tea!

{five}: My two Yorkies ARE my children.  We don't have any kids of our own [yet] and I love spoiling my puppers!  I know they have way too many toys, treats, beds, etc. but they deserve it!  There is no way to resist the little stinkers.  They are so loving and always make me happy!

Proof of cuteness!

{six}: I met the man of my dreams (too cheesy?) when I was only 17 years young!  My hubby and I met through friends back when I was a senior in HS (he is 4 years older).  We started dating when I was 17, we bought a house when I was 19, got married when I was 22 and now here I am at 26 happier than ever!  I love him so much and feel so blessed that I found my soulmate so early in life.  He is my best friend!  Sick of hearing about us yet?  Here is a pic so you can throw up in your mouth a bit........mushy gushy love!

{seven}: I'm a shopaholic.  [I can't believe I actually came out and said it, that's step one, right?!]  I'm not the type to go out and spend hundreds and thousands of dollars on fancy, designer things, though.  I guess my shopping philosophy is quantity over quality.  I don't love wearing the same outfit all the time so I'd rather have 4 cheap Forever21 shirts rather than 1 shirt from Banana.  You can judge me if you want, I don't care.  I get sick of things very quickly so I'd rather spend less!  I love am obsessed with Target!  I'd say I go there approximately 4 times a week (on average) probably?  There is one Target within 3 minutes of my house (LOVE) and another within about 8 minutes.  Seriously, how can I resist?!  Sometimes I go just because I'm bored.  It's sick.  A while ago I started putting my empty shopping bags in the corner of my room near my trashcan.  I was a little scared at how quickly they piled up.  Eek, time for an intervention!  I'm really excited to get back to work after having the summer off b/c I will be too busy to shop as often!

Might as well be me!

I'm passing on this award to these wonderful bloggers.  Head on over and check them out.  Hopefully you love reading their posts as much as I do!

Lindsey @ Worth the Wait

Mandy @ Journey to I Do

Kaylee @ Not Your Typical Twig

Allie @ Table for 3, Actually Make That 4

Kristin @ A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Michelle [and Ike] @ Decor and the Dog

Hadar @ Miss Kindergarten

Jackie & Danielle @ Sister Teachers

It's Wednesday so Guess What I'm Posting.....

What I am wearing!  I'll leave that until the end today because I have some other things first.  Tiffany over at Teach Run Love nominated me for the 7 Facts Blog Award!  Check out her post here and take a minute to check out her great blog!

7 facts should be easy.  It's not for me.  I'm a chronic over-thinker and I feel like I should make a list (on paper) first.  Ridiculous!  So here goes nothing.....my list of 7 facts:

1. The hubby and I have some really fun trips planned for this year and I can't wait!  Our first trip of the year is coming up in 17 days! (who's counting though?!)  We are headed to Florida!  We'll spend most of our time at Fort Myers Beach where his family owns a condo and then we'll go over to Key West for our last few days and possibly a day in Miami....fun!  We're also going somewhere special in June but we need to finalize the plans.  AND we have a family trip planned for October (I know, planned SUPER early)!
2. I was ready for summer again back in September.  I hate the cold weather and everything that comes along with it here in Ohio - gray skies, big coats, extra traffic during snow/ice.  Yuck!  Give me some heat and sun!
3. I haven't even been married for 3 years yet but I want to renew our vows.  I just think it would be fun and romantic.  Not to mention I'd get to have another "wedding"!  I haven't been able to convince the hubster yet......
4. I hate feet.  I especially hate when people don't wear toe nail polish but they wear open-toed shoes.  I have polish on my toes ALL year....just in case!
5. I am excited to say that I love going to work every day.  Not many people can say that!
6. I treat my dogs like my kids.  They are beyond spoiled and I talk to them like they are human.
7. I'm sad that we don't have any neighbor-friends where we live.  Most people seem to keep to themselves around where we live.  

Now, onto What I'm Wearing Wednesday!  Please noticed my cute new PiNK phone case in the photo!  Im' hoping to protect my lifeline since I drop it constantly. :) Outfit: new floral scarf from Old Navy, basic white v-neck from Kohls, tan 3/4 sleeve cardi, black pants (always), and silver/gunmetal flats from Payless.  I love the cute, cheap scarves you can find at Old Navy right now!  Oh, and I also painted my nails bright pink in hopes that it would make spring come sooner :) I was pleasantly impressed with the quality of this NYC nail polish.  I picked it up at Target for under $1 because I liked the color.  It went on smooth and dried quickly.  Hopefully it will last at least a few days! 

I hope everyone is having a good week!  I finished my report cards this afternoon so I'm feeling great!

I win, I win!

I'm not the best blogger so I don't even know if I'm doing this right BUT...my great friend Lindsey from  Waiting for our Miracle  gave me a blog award.  :)  Check out her blog!  I don't really know the point of this award BUT I'm hoping it can get me some more followers?  I follow some blogs but rarely remember to comment so this will let you know that I'm reading religiously :)  FOLLOW ME so I know I'm not a dork ;)

 
For the "Cherry On Top" Award:
1. Link to the person who gave it to you!
2. Pass it on to 5 more people!
3. Leave a comment on their blog telling them about it!


The 5 bloggers that I would like to give this award to are:
1. The Girl Who Ate Everything - I find the best recipes here!  They are always so easy and delicious :)  Not to mention her blog is fun to read!
2. Blushing Basics - I check this blog just about every day and I'm honestly sad when there isn't a new post!  She gives great make-up and fashion advice....even for make-up beginners!
3. Mrs. Wheeler's Tidbits - I'm obsessed with education/teacher blogs and this one is great!  She has tons of good ideas for your primary classroom!
4. First Grader...At Last! - This is another teacher blog!  I love how she posts student work samples and lots of pictures!
5. Dominoes, Diphthongs and Dinosaurs - This is a great place to find literacy ideas!  Of course I love it since I teach reading.  She also includes a lot of good read aloud ideas.